Mom has a farm with 20 or so cows and she often observes from the porch. Particularly of interest is being able to read the numbers on their ear tags.

My question is related to magnification.

When researching for my hunting binos, I thought I wanted 10X, but based on my education learned here, I went with 8X (Fujinon CD) and am very happy.

So I understand the benefits to lower magnification. However, mom isn't glassing for hours, nor is she concerned about low light, weight, etc, etc. She simply needs magnification to make basic herd observations and read tags.

That being said, I assume 10X at least. What about bigger? Any other drawbacks to larger? Inexpensive would be fine I'm sure (not from a budget standpoint, but dont see the need to pay a lot to read tags.)

Ask yourself how steady is your Mom? Because the higher the magnification the more exaggerated any movement will appear. I have the older version of the Nikon action that Bird Watcher recommended and they are very clear in the center. Good for looking at tags. You do notice a dishing effect when you pan across the field while glassing but no more than any other similar priced 10X binoculars.

Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.

Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to followNow the rules have changed again.

However, mom isn't glassing for hours, nor is she concerned about low light, weight, etc, etc. She simply needs magnification to make basic herd observations and read tags.

That being said, I assume 10X at least. What about bigger? Any other drawbacks to larger? Inexpensive would be fine I'm sure (not from a budget standpoint, but dont see the need to pay a lot to read tags.)

If it existed, a Yosemite 12x36 would be perfect, I'd think.

Comments? Answers? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't advise higher magnification, low budget optics for the sole reason that the resolution won't be there. I think resolution would be needed to read the numbers on the ear tags. If it were me, I'd opt for better glass before I went for higher magnification. As has been stated, a decent 10x would probably fit the bill. I would opt for something like that before higher magnification, and lower quality glass in the same price range. My opinion is a 10x42 will do a lot of things well, most likely including cow watching.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Depending on her vantage point, you might want to do what my friends did: Set up a relatively inexpensive spotting scope on a tripod. It will be steadier and easier to control and even a cheap piece o' crap will be good at 15X.

Magnification is good, but good resolustion is important too. She has a about a 4" tag to read. One the better 8x42, 8x30, or 7x50's will work better than a 10x or 12x. My mom had adopted my Nikon 7x50 marine, she does about the samething on her farm.

I raise registered Angus Cattle and cow watching is a regular daily routine. Ear tag reading is certainly a part of that. Pure and simple, you don't read ear tag numbers from very far away. Our tags are Yellow, Orange, White, Blue, or Red with black numerals. They are something like 2'" square on calves and 3" on cows. A 10x will have an advantage only if the glass is very steady. I use a 7x mostly or an 8x. Tag detail is easier to see with a sharp steady image, even if lesser power. The 10x stays in the pickup and gets used fro a window tripod mount. On walking inspections I tend to use the ZEN ED 7x36, ZRS 8x42 and Swift Eaglet 7x36 in that order. 6x Yosemites or 6.5x Raptors work about as well. Kind of hard to read tags much past 300 yards with just about anything. For one the cow or calf is almost never still. Even if relaxing they are moving their heads to swat flies, or flipping ears. The best way is to get their attention and get them in the "who are you and what are you up to" mode, so they are looking at you and you have their attention.

Steve"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

Klamath has it right I have 10x Bushnell legends for checking cattle my one son has 8x Minox seem to be better glass and I find my self using his when out checking for problems with my cattle. I'm looking forward to trying out the Bushy Legend Ultras in 8x36 or at least hearing how thy perform once available.I guess my point is get better 8x or like others have said spotting scope but my cows seem to be on the move too much for a spotter.

I raise registered Angus Cattle and cow watching is a regular daily routine. Ear tag reading is certainly a part of that. Pure and simple, you don't read ear tag numbers from very far away. Our tags are Yellow, Orange, White, Blue, or Red with black numerals. They are something like 2'" square on calves and 3" on cows. A 10x will have an advantage only if the glass is very steady. I use a 7x mostly or an 8x. Tag detail is easier to see with a sharp steady image, even if lesser power. The 10x stays in the pickup and gets used fro a window tripod mount. On walking inspections I tend to use the ZEN ED 7x36, ZRS 8x42 and Swift Eaglet 7x36 in that order. 6x Yosemites or 6.5x Raptors work about as well. Kind of hard to read tags much past 300 yards with just about anything. For one the cow or calf is almost never still. Even if relaxing they are moving their heads to swat flies, or flipping ears. The best way is to get their attention and get them in the "who are you and what are you up to" mode, so they are looking at you and you have their attention.

Steve, this is an interesting discussion. On my way to the office this morning, I was listening to OPB (Oregon Public Broadcast)'s Think Out Loud program. They were discussing cow rustling and how to keep track of cows in the vast open country.

i look at cow tags every day i have tried several different powers .right now i like 8x42 pentax dcf wp.i looked at more expensive binoculars but i could not justify the increased cost.they have been really tough.i have had them nearly 10 yrs . they look so bad i am sure no one would even steal them out of the truck but are plenty clear enough to read tags.i tried higher powers but could not see as good as the 8 power.

The issue of keeping track of one's cattle can get WAAAAY beyond what can be done with binoculars. The NAIS (National Animal Identification System) is something that I hope is dead and gone. There is just too much potential intrusion there for me. The ultimate solution will likely revolve around satellite readable tags or implants. Some years ago, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) was working on such a system. However the costs at that time were about $200 a cow. It was a special transmitting ear tag readable by satellite. Not only were tags expensive, but they were cheap compared to the cost of satellite access. It would be nice to get on the computer and to be able to see where your cows are. This was originally designed to monitor position on US government grazing leases to get a better handle on where and how cows used the allotments.

Steve"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

Steve, thanks a lot for the insight. It is fascinating to learn this topic that is completely new to me. $200 is a lot of money. From what I heard on the radio, a $40 RFID system (mainly for branding tracking and theft prevention) is too costly for ranchers considering its margin.

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